Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal prevailed over Robert Lewandowski’s Poland 5-3 in a penalty shootout to book their place in the semifinals of Euro 2016 after a 1-1 stalemate at the end of extra time in Marseille on Thursday.
For Portugal, Ronaldo, Renato Sanches, Joao Moutinho, Nani and Ricardo Quaresma converted from the spot. For Poland, Lewandowski, Arkadiusz Milik and Kamil Glik scored to make it 3-3 before Jakub Blaszczykowski had his shot saved by Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio before Quaresma slammed in his kick to seal Portugal’s win.
The match headed into extra time after a 1-1 deadlock between the two sides at the end of full time in Marseille on Thursday. Both teams failed to create little by way of scoring chances during the 30 minutes of extra time.
A goal from teenager Sanches for Portugal cancelled Lewandowski’s early strike for Poland before half-time.
Sanches, 18, became the youngest player to start for Portugal in a major tournament after coach Fernando Santos made two changes for the Euro 2016 quarter-final against Poland on Thursday.
Midfielder Sanches, replacing Andre Gomes, broke the previous record held by Cristiano Ronaldo who made his first championship start as a 19-year-old in Euro 2004. Benfica full back Eliseu also came in for the injured Raphael Guerreiro.
Captain Ronaldo could also equal Michel Platini’s record of nine goals at European championships if he scores in Marseille.
Poland coach Adam Nawalka named the same team that beat Switzerland on penalties in the last 16. Lukasz Fabianski continues in goal as Wojciech Szczesny is still struggling with a thigh injury.
Poland
Fabianski, Piszczek, Glik, Pazdán, Jedrzejczyk, Blaszczykowski, Maczýnski, Krychowiak, Grosicki, Milik, Lewandowski
Portugal
Rui Patricio, Cedric, Fonte, Pepe, Eliseu, W Carvalho, Adrien, Joao Mario, Sanches, Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo